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xiao wei

There is a young boy named Xiao Wei at the special needs orphanage supported by Global Partners in Life. He is about five years old, and he is blind . . . but I don’t think he knows it. He constantly amazes me by how well he can walk and function inside the orphanage. He loves to dance and wrestle with his friends, and he has a very soft and sweet voice. Would you like to meet him? In the photograph below he is actually dancing!

When I was there in December, I asked him in Chinese if he knew my name. With his innocent voice, he clearly said Beau. I gave him a hug and congratulated him and I was patting his shoulder when he took my hand. He had never done that before with me, but I could tell he wanted to lead me. We walked around the orphanage, and he led the entire way!

My apologies for the poor quality of the picture above, but I was walking, holding Xiao Wei’s hand, and trying to take the picture with my left hand. Yes, I am right handed. Hopefully you can tell this is Xiao Wei leading me around his home, and I couldn’t have been happier!

The main reason I was at the special needs orphanage that day was to provide financial support for the children and the staff. Through the contributions of our generous donors, Global Partners in Life keeps the children who can go to school in school. We pay for their school fees, lunches, books, supplies, and uniforms. Also, we pay for the children’s food, utilities, toiletries, and the salaries of their caregivers. On this day I also provided Christmas gifts for the children! It was a fantastic day for all of us!

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Let me introduce you to one of my young friends from the special needs orphanage supported by Global Partners in Life in China. His name is Xiao Wei, and he is about 4 years old. Would you like to see him?

Perhaps you can tell from the photo above that he likes to play, and he has a jovial disposition, but his story is a sad one. Xiao Wei was born with a twin sister, and they were premature. Unfortunately, when the twins were put in the oxygen chamber, the protection needed for their prolonged exposure to oxygen was put over his sister’s eyes, but not his. This exposure of his eyes to all of the oxygen has caused his blindness. He does, however, sense light.

Xiao Wei has become much more vocal in the past year compared to his previous year or two at the orphanage. He likes to wrestle with the other boys, and he is without a doubt the best dancer there! When I visit, he recognizes my voice and will say, “Mom, is Beau here?” — which absolutely makes my day!

Global Partners in Life has been given his medical records and they have been given to an eye surgeon in America to review. Unfortunately, his medical needs were not addressed immediately, so for now, there is nothing that can be done. But I am happy to report that there is potentially a surgical procedure that can be performed when he is around 20 years old which could restore his vision! I would be thrilled if this actually can take place! It would be an honor to help this young fellow reach his potential and enjoy life to the fullest.

Thanks so much to the people that contribute to the work Global Partners in Life is doing! Your donations have helped many children like Xiao Wei to have the life-changing medical procedures they need and to have the highest quality of life as possible!